PRIZE CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Coaching without a stew of dumplings (7) 5 Europeans with no head for pubs (4)

10 Pilot takes article by way of hill (7)

11 A little whisky and most of ale, full amount (5)

12 Apply force to section of the media (5)

13 Stitch certain to grip you French (6)

15 It contains a witty answer (6) 17 Shapeless mass of toy before operation (6)

19 Flexible in press-up, pleased (6) 20 Spoil, we hear, central part (5) 23 Mention island in madcap riddle (5)

24 On hand, a student demonstrates type of watch (7) 25 Some use theology to find biblical character (4) 26 Furtively neared unknown minister’s house (7)

DOWN

2 Din in Livorno, I see (5)

3 Highly unfortunate pastor I catch going astray (12)

4 Sacrilege in this place, extremely scary (6) 6 Gifted person neither sharp nor flat (7)

7 Sailor’s condiment (4) 8 Bond hit the drink (7) 9 Locate tail movement on vehicle (7,5)

14 Kitchen implement, alas, put away (7) 16 Instrumental sound heard whilst on safari? (7) 18 Reportedly use a bike to sell door-to-door (6)

21 Bury for most of the season (5) 22 Experts at cards? (4) Complete the Prize Crossword and the letters in the shaded squares, when rearranged, will spell out a word. The sender of the first correct solution drawn will receive a £100 Cross Century gold plated ball pen in a gift box, courtesy of Finnies the Jeweller. Lifetime guarantee included.

Solutions to arrive no later than Wednesday to:

Crossword No. 234

Your Life,

The Press and Journal, Lang Stracht, Aberdeen AB15 6DF.